04/02/1991 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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Financ Committee Minutes April 2, 1991 Page 2. At the last Finance Committee meeting the Committee had recommended the article for the library CLAMS program subject to a 22 override. This CLAMS program is now article 18 on the revised warrant. Several members have indicated that they would like to reconsider this.recommendation. Carole motioned that the Committee reconsider this recommendation and Tony seconded. All members were in favor of the reconsideration. Deirdre noted that the override recommendation was an attempt to give the town something when there was not sufficient funds in the omnibus to provide for the project. John stated that he had voted in favor of this override however he expressed concern about statements made by two of the Selectmen to the Falmouth Enterprise that there is money. in the omnibus budget to fund a full-time Council on Aging Director. If this is the case, John questioned if there is money for the CLAMS project. Vern stated that it was not a good idea to recommend overrides on a "piecemeal" basis and noted that if CLAMS was to be an override then there should also be other items on overrides. She stressed that the Committee should either include all items or exclude them all. Carole noted that the Committee consensus had been not to consider overrides. Tony noted that he would like to hold on the CLAMS recommendation and ask the Selectmen where they propose to get the money in the omnibus. Deirdre stressed that the Committee could not wait on rhetoric. Jim noted that the Selectmen have refused to put this on an override, however the article could be amended on town meeting floor. Jim noted that the cost for a special election is about $2,000 to get get an override of $15,940. The librarians asked to address this issue. Helene noted that this system would provide information access for the people of the town. It would give residents access to 17 other libraries. She stated that there are currently, 7,000 card holders and 45,000 circulations last year and this year it is anticipated that circulations will be 52,000. She stressed that the Library is meeting the needs of the entire community. This system would also help track fines. This year $1,557 was collected in fines and this would definitely increase in the CLAMS system. Mashpee is the only town on the Upper Cape without the CLAMS system. It would cost the voters 10 per thousand on their . tax rate and she stated that the voters should have this choice. The startup costs are $15,940, however next year's costs would only be about $8,000 and an aniticpated 50% increase in fines in projected. Tony motioned that the Committee make a recommendation on town meeting floor and that the Committee would recommend this CLAMS program if money is available if the money is not available the Committee will not recommend. This motion was seconded by Carl. ' The motion carried with two opposing votes by John and Deirdre. At 7:15 Charlie Buckingham joined the meeting to discuss the proposed addition to the Senior Center. Charlie presented plans showing the proposed three-level facility and a drawing of the exterior. He noted that the seniors have indicated that they would like to stay in the area they are in now. Charlie stressed that the only thing- they are asking is that the Finance Committee support the use of the bond money not used on other projects. The architectural and engineering costs were funded through donations made by the Friends of the Council. He assured the Committee that he would not be returning next year looking for a large sum of money to complete this project or fund operating costs.